De Portola Middle School Awarded $5,000 Barona Education Grant

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Apr 25, 2014) - The Barona Band of Mission Indians has awarded a $5,000 education grant to De Portola Middle School. Assemblyman Brian Maienschein sponsored the grant application for this school which represents a diverse population of students from San Diego's Tierrasanta and Murphy Canyon neighborhoods.

De Portola Middle School Principal Ryan Brock plans to use the funds to purchase eight LEGO MINDSTORMS Robotics EV3 Core sets along with expansion sets, software and other additions. The LEGO MINDSTORMS series allows students to build, program and test their solutions based on real life robotics technology. The products feature a small powerful computer as well as WiFi capability.

"Utilizing the latest technology is more important than ever for today's students," said Clifford LaChappa, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. "We are thrilled to provide schools with the educational tools that they need through the Barona Education Grant program."

Since 2006, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has awarded over $2.1 million to 423 schools statewide to help bridge school budget gaps and share resources through its Barona Education Grant Program.

The program is the first of its kind in California created and administered by a Tribal Government. The goal of the program is to create strong educational opportunities for the children of California building upon the success of the Barona Indian Charter School, which operates under a continuous improvement model. Schools throughout California can apply for educational grants from Barona to purchase much needed supplies and materials that promote academic improvement. Each grant awarded by the Barona Education Grant Program is $5,000. Applications can be downloaded at http://barona-nsn.gov/education.

About the Barona Band of Mission IndiansThe Barona Band of Mission Indians, recognized by the United States government as a sovereign nation, has lived on the Barona Indian Reservation in rural eastern San Diego County since 1932. Prior to that, the Tribe lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation which was established by the federal government in 1875. Long before living on a reservation, the Tribe traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. Today, the sovereign nation, governed by an elected Tribal Council, is serving its Tribal members, their families, and sharing with the San Diego region. One of the most successful gaming Tribes in the country, Barona also owns and operates the Barona Resort & Casino, San Diego's leading gaming resort, casino and golf course. For more information, visit www.barona-nsn.gov.